Members of the FCT National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on Saturday protested over decision to use the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Identification card as means for accreditation in its election.
The members noted that various media organisations’ ID cards were previously used during elections; hence the recent decision by the national body of NAWOJ as uncalled for.
Others said the new system would disenfranchise members, as most media practitioners had no national ID card, but use their organisation’s means of identity to practice the profession.
Josephine Bitrus of Correspondents chapel and one of the delegate agents, said: “The presidential committee chairman told us of the new development that the new directive from the National Secretariat of NAWOJ to use NUJ ID card.
“We disagreed because it was not used during the NAWOJ National delegate conference.
“We agreed at the just concluded congress when the executives were dissolved to use office ID cards and dues as evidence of payment for accreditation.
“We are tired of double standard; let NAWOJians have their own mind, we don’t want to be manipulated, it is enough!!!,” she said.
Similarly, Stella Okoh-Esene, former Chairperson, FCT Chapter, said: “We all agreed at the just concluded congress this morning that dissolved the executives, but the Vice President of our zone, Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche, said we should use NUJ ID card.
“We disagreed because many people applied and have not been given the cards and they want to disenfranchise some from voting,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Dorcas John, the Chairman, FCT Credential Committee, while addressing members, said the directive was from the National President, NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Bura.
“The National President said we should put this election on hold since we are not using the NUJ ID card,” she said. (NAN)
